When you buy a new car, the dealer offers you a warranty. This warranty is an agreement between you and the manufacturer that they will repair or replace any components on your car that break down due to manufacturing defects. The warranty is valid for a certain amount of time or mileage.  

What you should note before signing up for this type of contract is what is covered under your new car warranty. If you drive the car a mile away and it breaks down, you don’t want to hear “too bad, that’s not covered”. You should have a general understanding of what’s covered by your manufacturer. This way, you can have peace of mind knowing what you don’t have to pay for in case of a breakdown.  

What Does a New Car Warranty Cover?  

A new car warranty typically covers the most likely components to break down in the first few years of ownership. These components may vary depending on the make and model of your car. Typically, the warranty will cover:  

Bumper-to-bumper  

Bumper-to-bumper covers the majority of the car’s components. These parts are the ones that are most likely to have defects. They include the major car system, safety features (seat belts and airbags), steering, high-tech systems (GPS, cameras, etc.), air conditioning, and electrical systems.  

Powertrain  

The powertrain covers the mechanical components of the car. It is covered for longer than the bumper-to-bumper warranty, usually around five years or 60,000 miles. Parts covered under powertrain include:  

• Transmission   
• Engine  
• Axles  
• Seals  
• Transfer case  
• Driveshafts  
• Gaskets  

Corrosion 

Corrosion protection covers rust damage to your car’s body. This type of warranty is usually only offered by luxury car manufacturers.  

Roadside Assistance  

Roadside assistance is offered by the majority of the brands. This coverage is very useful, especially in case of a breakdown. It covers the cost of towing the car, trip interruption service, fitting the spare tire, minor electrical and mechanical repairs, and much more.  

What Is an Extended Warranty, and Is It Worth It?  

An extended warranty is an insurance policy on your vehicle, and it acts as a safeguard against expensive, unforeseen repairs. Once your manufacturer’s warranty expires, your car is no longer covered. Therefore, if you plan on keeping your car for a long time, or if you live in an area with harsh weather conditions, an extended warranty may be a good option for you.   

Keep in mind that there are some drawbacks to extended warranties. For one, they can be expensive. The cost of an extended warranty will depend on the make and model of your vehicle, as well as the length of the warranty. In addition, extended warranties typically have a deductible that you will have to pay if you need to make a claim.  

On the bright side, extended warranties have proven to be beneficial as they save you money and give you peace of mind. 

Before you decide whether or not to purchase an extended warranty, be sure to do your research. Talk to friends and family who have purchased extended warranties, read online reviews, and compare prices. Once you have all the information you need, you can make an informed decision about which extended warranty is right for you.  

How Do Major Manufacturers’ Warranties Compare?  

Most major manufacturers offer similar warranty coverage, but there are some important differences to note. For example, some manufacturers require that you get your car serviced at an authorized dealer for the warranty to remain valid. Others may have different coverage for different parts of the country. It’s important to read the fine print of your warranty to know what is covered and where.  

Here’s a table on how major manufacture’s warranties compare.  

Bumper-to-bumper  

Powertrain  

Roadside Assistance  

Car Manufacture

Acura  

• 4 yr/50,000 mi  

• 6 yr/70,000 mi  

• 1 yr/12,000 mi  

Audi  

• 4 yr/50,000 mi  

• 4 years  

Buick  

• 4 yr/50,000 mi  

• 6 yr/70,000 mi  

• 6 yr/70,000 mi  

BMW  

• 4 yr/50,000 mi  

• 4 years  

Cadillac  

• 4 yr/50,000 mi  

• 6 yr/70,000 mi  

• 6 yr/70,000 mi  

Chevrolet  

• 3 yr/36,000 mi  

• 5 yr/100,000 mi  

• 5 yr/100,000 mi  

Dodge  

• 3 yr/36,000 mi  

• 5 yr/100,000 mi  

• 5 yr/100,000 mi  

Ford  

• 3 yr/36,000 mi  

• 5 yr/60,000 mi  

• 5 yr/60,000 mi  

FIAT  

• 4 yr/50,000 mi  

GMC  

• 3 yr/36,000 mi  

• 5 yr/60,000 mi  

• 5 yr/60,000 mi  

Honda  

• 3 yr/36,000 mi  

• 5 yr/60,000 mi  

• 3 yr/36,000 mi  

Hyundai  

• 5 yr/60,000 mi  

• 10 yr/100,000 mi  

• 5 years  

Infiniti  

• 4 yr/60,000 mi  

• 6 yr/70,000 mi   

Jeep  

• 3 yr/36,000 mi  

• 5 yr/100,000 mi  

• 3 yr/36,000 mi  

Kia  

• 5 yr/60,000 mi  

• 10 yr/ 10,000 mi  

• 5 years  

Lexus  

• 4 yr/50,000 mi  

• 6 yr/70,000 mi   

Land Rover  

• 4 yr/50,000 mi  

Mazda  

• 3 yr/36,000 mi  

• 5 yr/60,000 mi  

• 3 yr/36,000 mi  

Mercedes-Benz  

• 4 yr/50,000 mi  

MINI  

• 4 yr/50,000 mi   

Nissan  

• 3 yr/36,000 mi  

• 5 yr/60,000 mi  

• 5 yr/60,000 mi  

Porsche  

• 4 yr/50,000 mi 

Subaru  

• 3 yr/36,000 mi  

• 5 yr/60,000 mi   

Toyota  

• 3 yr/36,000 mi  

• 5 yr/60,000 mi  

• 2 years  

Volkswagen  

• 3 yr/36,000 mi  

• 5 yr/60,000 mi  

Volvo  

• 4 yr/50,000 mi  

A new car warranty can be a valuable asset, especially if your car is still covered when something breaks down. If you have any questions relating to your warranty, don’t hesitate to contact the manufacturer or your dealer.  

Want to Buy a Car? We Can Help!  

If you are looking forward to buying your next car, we can help. Our team of experts will work with you to track down the vehicle of your choice. We will negotiate the best deal for you as well as make the financing easy by helping you get the best loan rates.  

You deserve to get your vehicle in a hassle-free way. You also need someone to get you a warranty that suits your needs. And that’s what we offer. Contact us today and let’s get started.  

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